Principle Name
Control Technical Diversity
Statement
Technological diversity is controlled to minimize the non-trivial cost of maintaining expertise in and connectivity between multiple processing environments.
Rationale
There is a real, non-trivial cost of infrastructure required to support alternative technologies for processing environments. There are further infrastructure costs incurred to keep multiple processor constructs interconnected and maintained. Limiting the number of supported components will simplify maintainability and reduce costs, to generate maximum benefits for the University as a whole.
The business advantages of minimum technical diversity include: standard packaging of components; predictable implementation impact; predictable valuations and returns; redefined testing; utility status; and increased flexibility to accommodate technological advancements. Common technology across the University brings the benefits of economies of scale to the University. Technical administration and support costs are better controlled when limited resources can focus on this shared set of technology.
Implications
- Policies, standards, and procedures that govern acquisition of technology should be tied directly to this principle.
- Technology choices will be constrained by the choices available within the technology blueprint. Procedures for augmenting the acceptable technology set to meet evolving requirements should to be developed and emplaced.
- Our technology baseline will continuously rise. We welcome technology advances and will change the technology blueprint when compatibility with the current infrastructure, improvement in operational efficiency, or a required capability has been demonstrated.
- Technology advances that fit our strategic needs will supersede those that no longer do. Technology that is superseded will be eliminated to control technical diversity.
Architecture Domains
- Technology